User Vision launches Scottish Usability Professionals Association

A new organisation is being established in Scotland to bring together professionals who want to make things easier to use and accessible by all.

(PRWEB) June 5, 2004 --As more companies realise the benefits of improved ease of use for their products, software and websites, there is growing interest in the fields of usability and accessibility. Within Scotland alone many private and public sector organisations are employing the skills of specialists, such as User Vision, to dramatically improve their products and services, and in turn create substantial Return on Investment.

The new Scottish Usability Professionals Association (SUPA) is a chapter of a multinational organisation, the Usability Professionals Association, based in the US. Through greater collaboration, its aims are to create a core network of people who can share knowledge, experience and best practice locally and provide a united voice for usability issues affecting Scottish businesses.

Chris Rourke, President of the SUPA and Director of User Vision, says The only UK Chapter is based in London. Through our work in Scotland, weve seen the number of usability professionals here is increasing rapidly. Many of them are working in isolation. Through our events, the SUPA will provide the support they need, ensure we spread the word about the benefits of usability and keep them up to date with latest developments in the field."

Those interested in joining the SUPA and taking part in future events can sign up on this site (www.uservision.co.uk/UPA) or call 1031 220 8213 for more information. The first event is being held on Tuesday 29th June, 6:30pm at User Visions offices (1 St Colme Street, Edinburgh EH3 6AA).

NOTES TO THE EDITORS:
•   User Vision Ltd (www.uservision.co.uk) is one of the UKs leading usability consultancies dedicated to improving the user experience through usability testing, expert evaluations, and consultancy, for many of the UKs blue chip organisations and public sector bodies. User Vision was founded in Edinburgh in 2000 and is dedicated to making the users experience better.
•   User Vision clients include Scottish Enterprise, Royal Bank of Scotland, Standard Life, NHS Health Scotland, Dell Computers, Office of the e-Envoy, Pfizer, HSBC Bank and many others.
•   The Usability Professionals Association (www.usabilityprofessionals.org) offers training, shares good practice and increases the body of knowledge for industry insiders. It also promotes the importance of usability to those outside the industry....and that means everyone with a website!
•   What is usability? Most of us surf the web. Many of us are frustrated by poor websites. They take too long to load, or are too complicated to understand. Thats a lack of 'usability. Literally, how easily someone can use a website. The same applies to software and physical products.

CONTACTS
Emma Kirk
Strategic Consultant, User Vision

Tel: 0131 220 8213
Email: emma@uservision.co.uk